“If You Take Quick Steps, You Go Faster Than the Train,” Akpabio on Nigeria’s Rail System

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has criticized the pace and condition of Nigeria’s railway network, saying some trains are so slow that passengers could walk faster.

Speaking during plenary on Thursday, Akpabio responded to a motion by Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central, who raised concerns over the state of the country’s rail system.

“The contract began under the late President Yar’Adua, continued under President Jonathan, and was completed under President Buhari with funding from China Exim Bank,” he said. “Yet from the first week, the railway faced problems.”

Highlighting the Lagos line, he said: “If you take quick steps, you go faster than the train. With a bicycle, you could reach Ibadan before it.”

Akpabio blamed poor project execution, not funding shortages, for the failures. He noted that properly implemented rail systems should not need major repairs for at least five to ten years.

“Some coaches are incompatible with the tracks, and outdated rails from the 1960s and 1970s struggle to accommodate modern, heavy locomotives. A small bend at speed could cause derailment,” he said.

He called for a full review of railway contracts and insisted suppliers should guarantee equipment lifespans and cover repair costs. He also questioned why Nigeria received what he described as second-hand equipment, suggesting mismanagement.

The Senate’s ad hoc committee, set up in November 2025 to investigate repeated train derailments, is preparing to start work. Adams Oshiomhole, senator for Edo North, chairs the committee. Akpabio confirmed that Senator Ningi will join the committee and pledged funding for its immediate commencement.